TWO big hippos. One enormous moon. Who can make it there first?

David Walliams’ fantastical adventure, The First Hippo on the Moon, is brought to the stage in a lively family show featuring puppetry and music. The production is based on his acclaimed children’s book which, he says, was inspired by his lifelong obsession with space travel.

“I have always been fascinated with the Space race of the 1960s, and wanted to do a spoof on that,” says the comic, writer and actor. “I like the idea of hippos going to the moon as they are the animals least likely to. It’s a very visual book, with amazing illustrations by Tony Ross, so it should be a very colourful stage production.

“I love great children’s theatre shows, especially now I’m a father. The best shows for children work for the grown-ups too.”

This is the latest in several of David’s books adapted for the stage, and although he doesn’t appear on stage, his voice will feature in the show. “I love seeing adaptations of my books, and really enjoy the changes,” he says. “I come from writing for television which is very collaborative and I’ve always liked working with other people. Ultimately you feel like a magician when something that was in your head becomes real.”

David shot to fame in Little Britain, which he wrote and starred in with Matt Lucas. The pair also collaborated on comedies Rock Profile and Come Fly With Me. David has raised millions for Comic Relief from ventures including swimming the Channel and the Thames, and he’s a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. He has sold more than 12.5 million copies of his children’s books, translated into 46 languages.

His books have drawn comparisons with Road Dahl. Is he inspired by any other children’s writers? “There are so many great writers for children. My favourites are JK Rowling, Julia Donaldson, Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo,” he says. “When I was a child I loved Richard Scarry and Dr Seuss.

“My absolute hero is Roald Dahl. He’s the greatest children’s writer of all time. I tend to be influenced by everything good I read, though it’s pointless trying to copy anybody.”

He hopes that after seeing or reading The First Hippo on the Moon, youngsters will be inspired to pick up a pen or take to a laptop to create their own story. “It’s important you write a story you would like to read,” says David. “If you like funny stories write a funny story, if you like scary ones write a scary one. You can never guess what it is people want to read, so it’s best you write something for yourself. If other people like it that’s a bonus.”

l The First Hippo on the Moon is at King’s Hall, Ilkley, on Tuesday, June 20 at 1pm. Call (01274) 432000.